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mischievous

adjective

ˈmis-chə-vəs How to pronounce mischievous (audio)
Definition of mischievousnext
1
as in wicked
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness the children had been so mischievous that we had to pay the babysitter extra and then clean up the mess

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in naughty
engaging in or marked by childish misbehavior punished for their mischievous tricks on the neighbors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
causing or capable of causing harm mischievous gossip that ruined a good teacher's reputation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mischievous Reports from across the UK show the mischievous character lurking outside windows and startling passersby. — Gina Park, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 For the kooky, mischievous and not-often-sober Shifty Gruff, Sheen was always the number one choice. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 Louis, age 8, has earned a reputation as the most mischievous of the Wales children. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Aug. 2026 The stories feature the titular George, a mischievous, tailless, almost-always-smiling monkey exploring New York City, and his human companion, the Man in the Yellow Hat. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mischievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mischievous
  1. wicked
  2. naughty
  3. dangerous
  4. playful
  5. bad
  6. harmful
  7. impish
  8. adverse
Adjective
  • After crash landing on the dark world directly onto the homing beacon, EO and his crazy crew are apprehended by a gang of warrior henchmen and hauled into the throne room to face the wicked alien ruler who is imprisoned in anger and hate.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Our only recent point of reference for a 'flying' car is the BYD Yangwang U9 which managed a 20-ft leap over spikes last year, enabled by a wicked active suspension system.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of wicked
Adjective
  • The film’s naughty, not-quite-PG side is perfectly exemplified by its titular hero.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Romantic, criminal and naughty hijinks ensue and bonds are tested — and ultimately reinforced.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of naughty
Adjective
  • Never mix vinegar with bleach, as the combination can create dangerous chlorine gas.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026
  • As the news of the helicopter crash spread, media crews from the bus accident scene began rushing to the helicopter site and were told by law enforcement to evacuate because the situation was too dangerous, NBC4 footage showed.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • The Moon enters Capricorn and your playful 5th house, inviting you toward hobbies, romance, creativity, and pleasure.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The shoe was elevated by a heel with a crystal cube design at the base, contributing a sense of glamour and a playful geometric aesthetic.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of playful
Adjective
  • The term, once confined to technical science papers, has gripped Silicon Valley, steered trillions of dollars in investment and fanned fears of human displacement, or worse.
    — George Musser, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
  • That’s cool that people (liked it), but that’s bad ball security.
    — Taylor Eldridge, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of bad
Adjective
  • Unresolved issues run the gamut, from antitrust protections to chip export controls to whether existing consumer laws are sufficient to protect people from harmful AI.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • For example, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed multiple AI bills into law, including Adam's Law, which requires AI chatbot makers to protect minors from harmful interactions.
    — Lora Kolodny,Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of harmful
Adjective
  • In a sprightly performance rife with oddball mannerisms, Gnecco gives Borges equal parts impish wisdom, earthy vulgarity and childlike wonder, rarely letting a moment’s silence go unfilled with eager chatter.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Ahead of the comedy’s second season, FX brought on Danny DeVito to play Dennis and Dee’s impish, absentee businessman father, Frank, in hopes that his presence would bring in more viewers.
    — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of impish
Adjective
  • The ultimate distinction, Raji said, is whether an adverse finding produces consequences.
    — Barbara Booth, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than fight an injunction motion — and potentially be forced to appeal an adverse ruling — Paramount chose instead to concede the issue and concentrate its trial defense.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of adverse

Browse Nearby Words

mischiefs
mischievous
mischievousness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mischievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mischievous. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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